Protest over communal violnce; Rahul in action in Lok Sabha

August 7, 2014 10:20 am

Agencies, New Delhi
The Congress and its allies today adopted an aggressive stance in the Lok Sabha with its member Rahul Gandhi in action too over the rejection of their demand for adjournment of Question Hour to discuss the increasing incidents of communal violence in the country, disrupting the proceedings during Zero Hour. Protests staged in the Well were joined in for the first time by Mr Gandhi, who had otherwise been keeping a low profile in the House so far.

Mr Gandhi was shouting slogans along with other party members and that of RJD and Aam Admi Party, and was seen consulting party president and mother Sonia Gandhi in between.

Congress leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge had given an adjournment notice for discussion on the issue and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s rejection of their demand had led to the adjournment of House during Question Hour.

When the House re-assembled, Mr Kharge said the communal tension was increasing everywhere since the new government had assumed the office, and members of all parties wanted to have a discussion. That was why he had demanded suspension of Question Hour to allow a debate on it. Mr Kharge said there had been previous instances of suspension of the Question Hour to discuss important issues affecting integrity and unity of the country.

Finding the Speaker unrelenting, the Congress and its allies raised the pitch of their sloganeering. Ultimately, Ms Mahajan asked Mr Kharge to speak provided he asked his party members to go back to their seats, which they did.

The Speaker said she will allow a discussion if Mr Kharge gave a notice for it under Rule 193, and then in the next Business Advisory Committee it would be taken up.